Ornamental aquarium



F. Y. KURIYAMA ORNAMENTAL AQUARIUM April 29, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1949 Fred Y. Kuriyama INVENTOR.

BY flaw 3m April 29, 1952 F. Y. KURIYAMA ORNAMENTAL AQUARIUM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1949 Fred Y. Kuriyama INVENTOR. 40x32 BY w April 29, 1952 F. Y. KURIYAMA 2,595,085

ORNAMENTAL AQUARIUM Filed Oct. 24, 1949 3 SheetS-She e't-S )1 13/ 36 3a ii 3a 32 i 3/ ,m I i mm-l"--- lllllm w 1m. 1 39 /0|-U 4'/ 34 39 .3 Fig. /0.

Fred Y. Kun'yama g 32' 30 BY WWW Patented Apr. 29, 1952 oRNAMENrAL AQUARJUMJ;

FrediY; 'Kuriyama, WaianaerQahu,

Territory ofHawaii.

Anplieationocmbfinfi i, l9T4.9.,;SeriaLNo'.-12.3,'143 4 Claims. (onus-51' My invention relates; to. improvements in ornamental aquariums. for. household use especially, although not necessarily;

The primary object of myinvention is to provide an aquarium of ornamental appearance in which growing plants enhance the appearance; of the same. by display of" the plants outside the aquarium without obstructing. the view thereof and of the contents of the same.

Another object is to. provide a device. ofthe character and for the purpose set forth which is constructed and arranged for ready access thereto to clean the same and take proper care of the plants and the contents ofthe aquarium.

Still another object is. to provide. an ornamental aquarium. adapted for growing plants other than marine: plants, and. which is of simple, practical-construction,-,v easy to take apart and. put together-Land comparatively inexpensiveto manufacture.

Other and subordinate objects, within the purview of my invention, together with the precise nature of my improvements, will. be readilyhnderstood' when the succeeding description. and claims are readlwith'. reference to' the drawings accompanying and formingpart of this specification.

In said; drawings:

Figure, I' is a view in: perspective" of my. im-

proved. aquarium. in a preferred embodiment thereof}. I

Figure 2 is a viewiin verticaljlongitudinalsectiontaken on the line. 2-2 ofiFigure 3 and drawn to a larger scale;

Figure 3. is a view in transverse" section taken on the line 3-3' of Figure 2;

Figurei is a view in perspective" of a modified embodiment of my improved aqarium;

Figure 5 is a view in vertical longitudinal section of the same taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 6 and drawn to. a larger scale;

Figure 6 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 6,--6,ofFigure'5;"

Figure 7 is a view' in perspective of a second modified embodiment of myimproved-aquarium Figure 8 is a view in perspective of the front frame, and parts carried thereby;

Figure 9 is a view in-rear-elevation drawn to a larger scale;

Figure; 1.0,. is? aview'in transverse section taken on. the line lily-I'll of Figure 9;: and;

Figure 1-1 is a viewzin vertical longitudinal secition taken on the line. lI--l l of- Figure 9.

Referring-to the. drawings" by numerals. and first to Figures I to 3, in the preferred embodimerrt thereof," my" improved aquarium.- comprises a substantially" U-shaped support Iv for-a p'airof side frames2, a water tank'3 and'a plant box I. The support I embodies a pair of upright'elongated end panels 5 connected, in any suitable manner, adjacent the lower ends, bya horizontal bottom panel 6 of the same width as said end panels 5. Cross cleats I on the top-of the horizontal bottom panel" 6, at theends thereof, brace said support and serve" the further purpose presently explained. The panels 5 and 6' and the cleats T may be formed of any suitable light, strong material.

The side frames 2xare each of open, rectangular, dished form and are suitably fixed. to the vertical side edges. 8 of'the'. end'panelsi to extend into. saidsupportl and flare outwardly thereof. As. bestshownin. FigureB', the side frames 2 are level with the lower ends of the end panels" 5' and completely hide the support I. at opposite. sides thereof. Also, as, shown. in Figure 3, the side frames2. are spaced apart equidistantly'upon 0pposite sides of the vertical longitudinal center of the support I, and fora purposepresently seen.

The water tank 3 isvof fiat rectangular form, and any suitable transparent material, andlis removably fitted between. the. side. frames 1 and the end panels 5, with. bottom cornersfiseated 'on the cross cleats 1 to -space said tank above. the bottom panel 6.

The plant box 4 isvofelongated. rectangular form and removably seated onv the. bottom. panel 5. In order that the plant box 4' may be inserted between the side framesZ onto the bottom panel 6-, saidfbox is narrower than the space between said frames;

As best shown in Figure 3,;theplant box 4. is shallower than the space between the bottom of the water tank 3 and the; bottom panelsfi. and

' at the bottoms of. the side frames 2, the inner edges thereof are spaced outwardly of the sides of the water tank 3 for a purpose presently explained'. The inner edges of the side frames 2 overlap the verticalrand horizontalcorners of the water tank 3 so that said frames framelsaida. tank and conceal the top, bottom, and: ends thereof.

In using the described aquarium, the-same is stood on a support with the lower" ends. of the end panels 5 and the bottom edges of" the-side frames 2 resting thereon. Thev water tanisliis used in the usual manner. Plants are grown in the plant box 4 to project out of the-spaces 9 between the sides of the water tank 3 and the inner bottom edges of the side frames 2. As illustrated in Figure 1, such. plants will hang downwardly out of the side frames 2 and form an ornamental growth along the bottom of the aquarium. The water tank 3 may be lifted out of the support I from between the side frames 2 for refilling and replacement, and said tank may be so removed, also the plant box 4, for cleaning out or any other purposes.

In the modified embodiment of the aquarium shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the same has the form of a table lamp with a support I2 for a water tank I3 and a plant box I4.

The support I2 comprises a base I5 having a pedestal I6 rising therefrom. An elongated, rectangular frame IT, open at its sides, witha top panel I8 and a relatively wider bottom panel I9, is centered horizontally on and suitably secured to said pedestal I 6.

opposite ends 2| of the frame IT with lower ends fixed in'suitable keepers 22 on said ends 2|. A conventional fluorescent lamp fixture 23 connects the upper ends of the uprights with the usual fluorescent light tube 24 extending along the bottom of the fixture.

The water tank I3 is of flat rectangular shape and any suitable transparent material and is seated flat on the top panel I8 of the frame If between the uprights 20, said tank extending longitudinally of said frame II. For a purpose presently apparent, the water tank I3 is preferably of the same width as the top panel I8 of the frame H.

The plant box I4 is of elongated rectangular form and seats in the frame I! on the bottom panel I9 to extend longitudinally thereof. For a purpose presently seen, the plant box I4 is wider than the top panel I8, and the water tank I3, to project beyond the sides of the top panel and tank.

A downwardly flaring shade 25 is provided for suspension from the rim of the water tank I3. The shade 25 comprises a pair of downwardly diverging side frames 26 open opposite the sides of the water tank I3, solely, to frame said tank at the sides thereof and render the contents visible from the sides of the aquarium. Internal hooks 21 on the side frames 26 fit over the rim o ffthew a'ter tank I3 and suspend said shade 25 from said rim. The upper portion of the shade 25 circumscribes the lamp fixture 23 and light tube 24 to conceal the same and the lower portion of said shade similarly conceals the frame II and plant box I4.

Electric wiring 28 extends into the pedestal I6 and through one tubular upright 20 and is connected in the conventional manner, not shown,

'to the fluorescent light tube 24 for energizing the same from a house circuit to which said wiring may be connected in the usual manner. A

'siiitable'switch 23 is provided in the base I5 and in the wiring 28 for closing circuit to said light tom of the water tank I3 for further ornamentation. With the fluorescent light tube lighted,

-'water inthe water tank I3 is illuminated to further enhance the ornamental appearance in the aquarium and provide illumination in a room or the, like.

, The second modified embodiment of the aquarium, shown in Figures 7 to 11, is a hanging wall The base I 5, pedestal I6, and frame Il may be formed of any suitable material. A pair of tubular uprights 20 rise from aquarium, the basic element of which is a water tank support 30 comprising a pair of upright elongated end panels 3| connected together adjacent the lower ends thereof by a horizontal bottom panel 32 of the same width. A rear, upper, horizontal bar 33 also connects said end panels 3| together. A cord, or the like, 34 is connected, ,as at 35, to the rear upper corners of said end panels3I for hanging the support 30 on a wall, not shown.

The water tank 36, in this instance, is also of rectangular fiat form and any suitable transparent. material and is seated on the bottom panel 32 between the end panels 3| to extend longitudinallyof the support 30.

-.A.rectangular front frame 31 for the water tank 36., higher and wider than the support 30, 'ishinged at one side and on the rear face thereof to one end panel 3|, as at 38, to be swung open and closed against the front of said support. The frame 31, when closed, conceals the support 30 from view from th front thereof and overlaps the front edges of the tank 36 to frame the same. A suitable spring catch 38 yieldingly retains said frame 3'! closed. A rearwardly extending horizontal shelf 39 is suitably fixed on the bottom edge of the frame 3'! and a horizontal row of apertures is provided in said frame 31 directly below the bottom panel 32, all for a purpose presently seen.

An elongated rectangular plant box 4| of substantially the same width as the shelf 39 and the end panels 3| is removably seated on said shelf below the bottom panel 32 and the row of apertures 43.

A net panel 42 is suitably hung, as at 43, on the bar 33 for draping behind the water tank 36.

Apertures 44 in the frame 31 above the water tankv 36 are provided for training aquatic plants, growing in water in said tank, outwardly through said frame. I i

In the use of the second modified embodiment of my aquarium, the water tank 36, as in the other embodiments, is framed by the frame 31. The net panel 42 behind the water tank 36, when viewed through water 45 in said tank, produces an unusual ornamental effect. Plants, not shown, grown in the plant box 4| and trained out of the apertures 40, together with aquatic plants, now shown, grown in the water 45 and trained out of the openings 44, lend further ornamentation to the aquarium at the top and bottom thereof. By opening the frame 31, access may be had to the Water tank 38 for removing and/or filling the same, and the plant box 4| may be swung outwardly away from the support 30 for access thereto as may be required.

The foregoing will, it is believed, sufiice to impart a clear understanding of my invention, without further explanation.

Manifestly, th invention, as described, is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reser ed to such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what claimed as new is:

1. In a combination table lamp and ornamental aquarium, a support coir. prising a pair of upright end members, .a rectangular. transparent water tank' mountedon said support to extend longitudinally between said'members, a tubular light fixture supported at its ends by said members to extend along the top of said tank and illuminate the. tank through the water to diffuse dim light rays outwardly from the tank, and a shade suspended from the rim of said tank and concealing said fixture, said shad having side openings therein opposite the sides of said tank to render the tank clearly visible and provide for the escape outwardly of the shade of light rays diffused from the sides of the tank.

2. In a combination table lamp and ornamen tal aquarium, a support comprising a pair of upright end members, a rectangular transparent Water tank mounted on said support to extend longitudinally between said members, a tubular light fixture supported at its ends by said members to extend along the top of said tank and illuminate the tank through the water to diffuse dim light rays outwardly of the tank, a shade suspended from the rim of said tank and concealing said fixture, said shade having side openings therein opposite the sides of said tank to render the tank clearly visible, and a pedestal for elevating said support and provide for the escape outwardly of said shade of the light rays difiused from the sides of the tank.

3. In a combination table lamp and. ornamental aquarium, a pedestal, and elongated plant box above said pedestal for growing plants therein, a transparent water tank above said box, means on said pedestal supporting said box and tank, said box extending outwardly beyond the sides of said tank for growing plants therein to extend upwardly alongside the tank, a tubular light fixture, and means rising from said first-named means and supporting said fixture horizontally above said tank to illuminat the tank through the water wherein to difiuse dim light rays outwardly of the sides of the tank for illuminating the plants extendin alongside the tank, and a shade suspended from the rim of the tank and having openings therein for rendering said tank and plants visible and providing for the escape outwardly of the shade of light rays difiused outwardly of the tank.

4. In a combination table lamp and ornamental aquarium, a pedestal, an elongated plant box above said pedestal for growing plants therein, a transparent water tank above said box, means on said pedestal supporting said box and tank, said box extending outwardly beyond the sides of said tank for growing plants therein to extend upwardly alongside the tank, a tubular light fixture, and means rising from said first-named means and supporting said fixture horizontally above said. tank to illuminate the tank through the water therein to difiuse dim light rays outwardly of the sides of the tank for illuminating the plants extending alongside the tank.

FRED Y. KURIYAMA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 41,977 Jacob Dec. 12, 1911 460,810 Gunther Oct. 6, 1891 919,15? Glaser Apr. 20, 1909 1,263,391 Eickmeyer Apr. 23, 1918 1,974,068 Greensaft Sept. 18, 1934 2,144,551 Skolnick Jan. 1'7, 1939 

